EPA's Study of Hydraulic Fracturing and Its Potential Impact on Drinking Water Resources
In its Fiscal Year 2010 budget report, the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriation Conference Committee identified the need for a focused study of hydraulic fracturing. EPA scientists, under this administration and at the direction of Congress, are undertaking a study of hydraulic fracturing to better understand any potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water and ground water. EPA consulted with experts in the field through peer review and technical workshops, and engaged stakeholders in a dialogue about the study through facilitated public meetings.
The overall purpose of the study is to understand the relationship between hydraulic fracturing and drinking water resources. The scope of the research includes the full lifespan of water in hydraulic fracturing, from acquisition of the water, through the mixing of chemicals and actual fracturing, to the post-fracturing stage, including the management of flowback and produced water and its ultimate treatment and disposal.
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New Information on this Website
- Webinar update on EPA's Study "The Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Resources". Learn More .
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November 2011 Final Study Plan:
- Questions and Answers about EPA's Hydraulic Fracturing Study page
- Plan to Study the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Resources (PDF) (190 pp, 2.1 MB)
- Presentation on the Final Plan to Study the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Resources (PDF) (November 2011) (19 pp, 407 K)
- Dr. Paul Anastas's statement on the release of Plan (as prepared for delivery) (November 2011) (PDF) (7 pp, 30 K)
- Press release: EPA Announces Final Study Plan to Assess Hydraulic Fracturing
- Quality Management and Quality Assurance Project Plans
- Information about the status of Hydraulic Fracturing Study research (November 2011)
- Abstracts summaries of presentations from technical workshops in February and March 2011 on:
- Chemical and analytical methods
- Well construction and operations
- Fate and transport
- Water resources management
Status of Hydraulic Fracturing Study Research (December 2011)
A first report of results is expected by the end of 2012. A final report will be released in 2014.
EPA is working to complete the study in a timely manner so that the results are available to the public. Research has begun. Importantly, all of these activities explicitly described in the draft study plan and supported by the Science Advisory Board (SAB). As laid out in both the draft study plan and the final study plan, we have:
- conducted an initial literature review,
- requested and received information from industry on chemicals and practices used in hydraulic fracturing,
- discussed initial plans for case studies with landowners and state, local and industry representatives, and
- conducted baseline sampling for retrospective case studies using scientifically sound approaches that have been shared with collaborators.
We have timed our work to enable us to provide more results in the 2012 report.
- EPA response to SAB's comments on the Draft Study Plan (September 2011) (PDF) (2 pp, 370 K)
- Table outlining EPA responses to SAB comments on the Draft Study Plan (PDF) (5 pp, 82 K)
- SAB Review of the Draft Study Plan (August 2011) (PDF) (89 pp, 1.4 MB)
- Memo from EPA to SAB request review of the Draft Study Plan (February 2011) (PDF) (3 pp, 82 K)
- Draft Study Plan (February 2011) (PDF) (140 pp, 3.6MB)
- Press release on submission of the Draft Study Plan to SAB (February 2011)
- Case study locations for the Study
- Criteria for case study location
- Press release on selection of locations for the Study (June 2011)
- Questions and answers about the Study
Background
- Study approach
- Voluntary information requests
- Science Advisory Board
- Stakeholder involvement strategy
- Publications
Study Approach
The overall purpose of the study is to identify potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources. More specifically, the study is designed to examine the conditions that may be associated with the potential contamination of drinking water resources, and to identify the factors that may lead to human exposure and risks. The scope of the research includes the hydraulic fracturing water use lifecycle, which for this study, consists of water acquisition, chemical mixing, well injection, flowback and produced water (collectively referred to as “hydraulic fracturing wastewater”), and wastewater treatment and waste disposal. The study will:
- include an extensive review of peer-reviewed literature;
- compile and analyze existing data;
- include laboratory research, computer modeling, scenario evaluations, and field investigations, including prospective and retrospective case studies; and
- characterize the toxicity of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing.
All research activities associated with this study will be conducted in accordance with EPA’s Quality Assurance Program for environmental data. EPA will provide periodic updates on the progress of various projects as the research is being conducted. The results of individual research projects will be made available after undergoing a quality assurance review. It is expected that a first report of research results will be released in 2012. Certain portions of the work identified in the draft study plan, however, are long-term projects that are not likely to be completed in 2012. Additional reports of study findings will be published in a second report in 2014.
Case Studies
In June 2011, EPA identified seven case study locations to help the agency assess the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources. The sites identified were selected following extensive input from stakeholders, including the public, local and state officials, industry, and environmental organizations. EPA began field work in some of the selected areas in the summer of 2011.
Two sites are prospective case studies where EPA will monitor key aspects of the hydraulic fracturing process at future hydraulic fracturing sites. They are located in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana (Haynesville Shale), and in Washington County, Pennsylvania (Marcellus Shale). The other five case studies are retrospective, where EPA will investigate reported drinking water contamination due to hydraulic fracturing operations at existing sites, are located in:
- Kildeer, Dunn County, North Dakota (Bakken Shale)
- Denton County, Texas (Barnett Shale)
- Bradford and Susquehanna Counties, Pennsylvania (Marcellus Shale)
- Washington County, Pennsylvania (Marcellus Shale)
- Colorado (Raton Basin)
- Key issues to be investigated at each location
- Criteria for case study location selection
- June 23, 2011 press release on selection of locations for Hydraulic Fracturing Study Plan
- Questions and answers about EPA's hydraulic fracturing study
Voluntary Information Requests
August 2011 Voluntary Information Request
On August 11, 2011 EPA sent letters to nine oil and gas companies requesting their voluntary participation in EPA’s hydraulic fracturing study. EPA requested data on well construction, design, and well operation practices for 350 oil and gas wells that were hydraulically fractured from 2009-2010. EPA made this request as part of its national study to examine the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources. The wells were selected using a stratified random method and reflect the diversity in both geography and size of the oil and gas operator. This account of well performance – together with a literature review, assessment of data and information from states and communities, case studies, laboratory work, and computer modeling – will allow EPA to do a more thorough assessment of the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources.
All nine oil and gas companies said that they planned to assist EPA. By sharing information about specific well construction design and operations, these companies will help EPA and the public better understand technologies and practices associated with hydraulic fracturing.
- Letter sent by EPA to the nine oil and gas companies (PDF) (14 pp, 108 K)
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Companies that received the request:
- Clayton Williams Energy
- ConocoPhillips
- EQT Production
- Hogback Exploration
- Laramie Energy II
- MDS Energy
- Noble Energy
- Sand Ridge Operating
- Williams Production
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How were these wells selected?
In response to EPA’s September 2010 request to nine hydraulic fracturing service companies, we received a list of approximately 25,000 oil and gas production wells that were hydraulically fractured between 2009 and 2010 and the names of the oil and gas operator for each well.
To identify the wells for this request, we first sorted the list of operators by those with the most wells to those with the fewest wells. We defined operators to be “large” if their combined number of wells accounted for the top 50% of wells on the list, “medium” if their combined wells accounted for the next 25% of wells on the list, or “small” if their wells were among the last 25% of wells on the list, and removed all operators with 10 wells or less.
Then, using a map from the U.S. Energy Information Administration showing all shale gas plays, EPA classified four different areas of the nation: East, South, Rocky Mountain (including California) and Other. To choose the nine companies that received the request, EPA randomly selected one “large” operator from each from the geographic areas, for a total of four “large” operators, and then randomly, and without geographic consideration, selected two “medium” and three “small” operators.
Once the nine companies were identified, we used a computer algorithm that balanced geographic diversity and random selection within an operator’s list to select wells until we had a total of 350 wells.
September 2010 Voluntary Information Request
On September 9, 2010, EPA issued voluntary information requests to nine hydraulic fracturing service providers. The data requested, which is integral to the hydraulic fracturing study, included:
- the chemical composition of fluids used in the hydraulic fracturing process,
- data on the impacts of the chemicals on human health and the environment,
- standard operating procedures used at hydraulic fracturing sites, and
- the locations of sites where fracturing has been conducted.
All nine companies to access this crucial information that will help us carry out our Congressionally-mandated study on the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources.
Three of the nine hydraulic fracturing service companies also provided non-confidential information related to their hydraulic fracturing services. This information is available at Docket Number EPA-HQ-ORD-2010-0674 .
News Releases
- September 2010 news release about the voluntary information request
- November 2010 news release on results of voluntary information request
Communications between EPA and Hydraulic Fracturing Service Providers
Peer Review by the Science Advisory Board
EPA asked the EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) to provide a peer review of the draft study plan, and for the SAB to provide suggestions and comments. The SAB is an independent, external federal advisory committee. The SAB met in April 2010 to provide advice on the proposed approach to be used to frame the hydraulic fracturing study design and on the areas that will be addressed by research relevant to hydraulic fracturing. Their ideas were provided to EPA in a June 2010 Report to the Administrator.
- Scoping materials for initial design of EPA research on potential relationships between hydraulic fracturing and drinking water resources
- June 2010 SAB Report to the EPA Administrator (PDF) (26 pp, 246K)
EPA considered SAB’s comments, as well as stakeholder comments, in the development of the Draft Study Plan. Four separate SAB meetings (two teleconferences and two face-to-face meetings) were open to the public and provided additional opportunities for the public to provide information and comments to inform the SAB’s review of the study. Initial research results are expected by the end of 2012 with a goal for a report in 2014.- February 2011 Draft Plan to Study the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Resources (PDF) ("Draft Study Plan") (140 pp, 3.6MB)
- February 2011 memo from EPA Office of Science Policy to SAB requesting review of the Draft Study Plan (PDF) (3 pp, 82 K)
- August 2011 SAB Review of the Draft Study Plan (PDF) (89 pp, 1.4 MB)
- September 2011 EPA Response to SAB's comments on the Draft Study Plan (PDF) (2 pp, 370 K)
News Releases
- February 2011 news release about EPA's submission of the Study Plan to SAB for review
- March 2010 news release announcing the study and request for comments from the SAB
SAB Website Links
- SAB Hydraulic Fracturing Study Plan - Information on SAB's activities to provide advice on the scientific adequacy and appropriateness of the EPA study. A Hydraulic Fracturing Study Plan Review Panel was formed in January 2011. The Panel conducted this review in early March 2011.
- SAB Hydraulic Fracturing Research Plan - Information on SAB's activities to provide advice on the proposed approach and scope of the EPA study, including April 2010 SAB meeting materials, and the June 2010 Final Report to the Administrator (PDF) (26 pp, 246K).
- August 2011 SAB Review of EPA's Draft Hydraulic Fracturing Study Plan (PDF) (89 pp, 1.4 MB)
Stakeholder Involvement Strategy
EPA understands the importance of outreach to individual citizens, communities, tribes, state and federal partners, industry, trade associations, and environmental organizations.
During summer 2010, EPA engaged stakeholders in a dialogue about the hydraulic fracturing study through facilitated meetings. EPA also consulted with experts in the field through peer review and technical workshops. Meeting materials and summaries from stakeholder events can be found below and are also available at Docket Number EPA-HQ-ORD-2010-0674.
You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.
Sector-Specific Meetings and State and Federal Partner Consultations
- States - May 27, 2010
- Presentation (PDF) (34 pp, 2MB)
- Meeting Summary (PDF) (3 pp, 30K)
- Federal - June 7, 2010
- Presentation (PDF) (34 pp, 3MB)
- Meeting Summary (PDF) (4 pp, 32K)
- Industry - June 21, 2010 with re-cast on June 30, 2010
- Presentation (PDF) (34 pp, 3MB)
- Meeting Summary (PDF) (7 pp, 39K)
- Environmental Organizations - June 23, 2010
- Presentation (PDF) (34 pp, 3MB)
- Consultation (PDF) (5 pp, 43K)
- Information about the public meetings:
- Federal Register Notice (75 FR 35023; June 21, 2010) announcing the meetings
- Agendas for the meetings (PDF) (7 pp, 130K)
- EPA presentation (PDF) (26 pp, 835K)
- Meeting handouts:
- Water Life Cycle in the Hydraulic Fracturing Process Poster (PDF) (1 pg, 150K)
- Proposed Criteria for Case Study Site Selection Poster (PDF) (1 pg, 282K)
- Proposed Criteria for Selecting Case Studies for the EPA Hydraulic Fracturing Study (PDF) (4 pp, 128 K)
- Proposed Study Design for the EPA Hydraulic Fracturing Study (PDF) (4 pp, 160 K)
- July 8, 2010, Fort Worth, Texas
- Comments (PDF) (26 pp, 150K)
- July 13, 2010, Denver, Colorado
- Comments (PDF) (12 pp, 105K)
- July 22, 2010, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
- Comments (PDF) (36 pp, 178K)
- September 13, 2010, Binghamton, New York
- Afternoon Comments (PDF) (39 pp, 189K)
- Evening Comments (PDF) (31 pp, 176K)
- September 15, 2010, Binghamton, New York
- Afternoon Comments (PDF) (25 pp, 183K)
- Evening Comments (PDF) (34 pp, 181K)
Tribal Government Consultations
- Summary of August 5 and 30, 2010, Consultation with Tribal Governments (PDF) (4 pp, 40K)
- Summary of August 13, 2010, Consultation with Haudenosaunee Task Force (PDF) (6 pp, 47K)
- August 30, 2010, Tribal Presentation: Potential Relationships Between Hydraulic Fracturing and Drinking Water Resources (PDF) (24 pp, 1MB)
Webinars on the Hydraulic Fracturing Study Plan
- Presentation on the Final Plan to Study the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Resources (PDF) (November 2011) (19 pp, 407 K)
- Overview of the Draft Plan to Study the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Resources
- Stakeholder Webinars held February 15-16, 2011 (PDF) (23 pp, 711K)
- Public Webinar held March 2, 2011 (PDF) (23 pp, 715K)
EPA held four technical workshops in February and March 2011 on these subjects integral to hydraulic fracturing: chemical and analytical methods; well construction and operations; fate and transport; and water resource management. For each workshop, EPA selected between 40-50 technical experts from the oil and natural gas industry, consulting firms, laboratories, state and federal agencies, and environmental organizations to participate in the workshops. The technical workshops were intended to:
- inform EPA of the current technology and practices being used in hydraulic fracturing,
- identify research related to the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources, and
- provide an opportunity for EPA scientists to interact with technical experts.
EPA will use the information presented in these abstracts and presentations to inform research that effectively evaluates the relationship between hydraulic fracturing and drinking water.
The links below will take you to pages that include summaries of the presentations and discussion sessions as well as abstracts for each presentation.
- Chemical and Analytical Methods (February 24-25, 2011)
- Well Construction and Operations (March 10-11, 2011)
- Fate and Transport (March 28-29, 2011)
- Water Resource Management (March 29-30, 2011)
For more information on the workshop topics, you can view the Technical Workshops Flyer (PDF) (1 pg, 53K , About PDF)
Publications
- Draft Plan to Study the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Resources, February 2011 (PDF) (140 pp, 3.6MB)
- Opportunity for Stakeholder Input on EPA's Hydraulic Fracturing Research Study:
- Study Design, July 2010 (PDF) (3 pp, 50K)
- Criteria for Selecting Case Studies, July 2010 (PDF) (4 pp, 57K)
- Scoping Materials for Initial Design of EPA Research Study on Potential Relationships Between Hydraulic Fracturing and Drinking Water Resources, March 2010 (PDF) (12 pp, 111K)
Related Information
- Main hydraulic fracturing page
- Questions and answers about this study
- Case study locations and selection criteria
- Quality Management and Quality Assurance Project Plans
- Hydraulic Fracturing: Drilling for Answers (EPA Science Matters newsletter, June 2010) - why EPA is studying hydraulic fracturing.
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Answering Questions about EPA's Plan to Study Hydraulic Fracturing (EPA Science Matters December 2011)-EPA scientist shares information about a recently released research plan.
Drinking water resources: